WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.480 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.980 --> 00:00:09.560 Our passion is to experience and express grace. 00:00:10.080 --> 00:00:10.620 Join us. 00:00:13.259 --> 00:00:19.000 While they're going back, I want to tell you about another special concert so you can mark 00:00:19.000 --> 00:00:19.760 your calendars. 00:00:21.100 --> 00:00:22.679 Anybody ever heard of Behold the Lamb? 00:00:24.620 --> 00:00:27.440 It's coming back to Huntsville this year. 00:00:27.440 --> 00:00:31.060 December 1st, Sunday night. 00:00:31.600 --> 00:00:33.060 They will be coming back here. 00:00:33.300 --> 00:00:39.760 They usually fill this sanctuary and this year they're doing a special 20th anniversary 00:00:39.760 --> 00:00:40.320 tour. 00:00:41.020 --> 00:00:44.900 So they are bigger and more people will be here and we are going to the VBC. 00:00:45.780 --> 00:00:47.799 So it's going to be a really special night. 00:00:47.900 --> 00:00:51.939 We want you to know that and be able to mark your calendars for that concert as well as the 00:00:51.939 --> 00:00:53.540 Slugs and Bugs concert. 00:00:53.539 --> 00:00:58.879 That's Sunday night, December 1st at the end of Thanksgiving week to kick off our Christmas 00:00:58.879 --> 00:00:59.579 celebration. 00:00:59.839 --> 00:01:02.799 So I hope you can be a part of that with us as well. 00:01:02.899 --> 00:01:03.679 It'll be a great night. 00:01:06.620 --> 00:01:13.759 I've loved this summer getting to wrestle together through what God calls us to be as his church. 00:01:14.340 --> 00:01:18.060 We've looked at many one another passages in his word. 00:01:18.060 --> 00:01:23.060 And what a joy to remember that God sees the loneliness in our lives. 00:01:23.799 --> 00:01:30.400 And he answers that with these life-giving relationships, gospel community. 00:01:31.980 --> 00:01:39.219 We've also seen how living that way is not natural or easy, haven't we? 00:01:39.219 --> 00:01:45.379 If you'll grab one of these cards out of the pew pocket in front of you, these have been 00:01:45.379 --> 00:01:46.039 there all summer. 00:01:46.120 --> 00:01:47.319 It says the summer of one another. 00:01:47.420 --> 00:01:49.539 You can flip it over to the other side. 00:01:49.659 --> 00:01:52.060 We needed to get rid of these and get them out of the way. 00:01:52.560 --> 00:01:54.500 So just go ahead and take them all out. 00:01:54.859 --> 00:01:55.700 Help us clean up. 00:01:55.700 --> 00:01:59.820 But we need reminders, don't we? 00:02:00.200 --> 00:02:04.219 And this may not be the reminder you want, but for some of you it might be helpful to 00:02:04.219 --> 00:02:10.500 grab one of these and put it in your Bible or your wallet or your fridge or whatever. 00:02:11.099 --> 00:02:12.939 And remember, love one another. 00:02:13.099 --> 00:02:13.480 Pray. 00:02:14.120 --> 00:02:15.039 Confess sins. 00:02:15.240 --> 00:02:15.460 Forgive. 00:02:15.939 --> 00:02:17.539 Carry each other's burdens. 00:02:18.159 --> 00:02:19.719 Show hospitality to one another. 00:02:19.719 --> 00:02:26.560 Be able to remember that and especially to pray that God would make your life and our 00:02:26.560 --> 00:02:29.900 church like this kind of community. 00:02:32.000 --> 00:02:38.419 Secondly, as we wrap this up, I want to challenge all of us to take some tangible steps toward 00:02:38.419 --> 00:02:42.039 investing in this kind of community, these relationships. 00:02:43.020 --> 00:02:47.599 Someone said to me last Sunday, hey, that was a really challenging message on hospitality, 00:02:47.599 --> 00:02:51.840 pastor, but you know it'd never make any difference if none of us ever does it. 00:02:53.539 --> 00:02:54.299 Fair enough. 00:02:55.099 --> 00:02:57.060 There's a lot of truth in that. 00:02:57.099 --> 00:03:00.959 We can talk a lot about one anothering without anything happening, can't we? 00:03:01.919 --> 00:03:07.120 We've said over and over this summer our heart is to have everyone at Southwood connected 00:03:07.120 --> 00:03:12.740 in a small group and or a connect community where those relationships can grow and we can 00:03:12.740 --> 00:03:14.379 invest in each other. 00:03:14.379 --> 00:03:20.280 We don't want anyone missing out on those relationships that God has designed us for. 00:03:20.919 --> 00:03:24.539 So to help with that, we've got a special Sunday coming up where we're going to focus 00:03:24.539 --> 00:03:28.419 on that Sunday, August 25th in three weeks. 00:03:29.240 --> 00:03:31.900 And we're going to help you get connected if you're not already. 00:03:32.039 --> 00:03:33.919 We're calling it Creating Connections. 00:03:34.039 --> 00:03:37.780 So if you want to look back into that same pew pocket that you've cleaned out, you now can 00:03:37.780 --> 00:03:38.719 see this card, I hope. 00:03:38.719 --> 00:03:41.139 It says Creating Connections. 00:03:41.599 --> 00:03:45.539 And you can just give us your information and let us know if you want more information 00:03:45.539 --> 00:03:47.979 about connect communities or small groups. 00:03:48.479 --> 00:03:51.520 And we would love to be able to follow up with you on that. 00:03:51.819 --> 00:03:58.879 And then on that Sunday, the 25th, we'll help you in person to connect to community in these 00:03:58.879 --> 00:03:59.639 places. 00:04:00.180 --> 00:04:05.460 If you fill it out today, find a pastor or an usher and just hand it to us and we will help 00:04:05.460 --> 00:04:07.039 you to get connected. 00:04:07.039 --> 00:04:09.519 Kathy mentioned branches. 00:04:10.179 --> 00:04:15.079 I'd especially encourage you if you've read this issue of branches that you got just this 00:04:15.079 --> 00:04:20.680 past week, you're going to read more about this one anothering in this gospel community. 00:04:20.959 --> 00:04:24.779 I'd especially encourage you to read Christine Betz's article in the middle. 00:04:25.480 --> 00:04:26.579 It's called Don't Drown. 00:04:27.399 --> 00:04:34.219 It's about small groups and it's one person's story of loneliness and finding community in 00:04:34.219 --> 00:04:34.959 small groups. 00:04:34.959 --> 00:04:41.579 If you're uncertain about taking a step towards one anothering, read that. 00:04:41.659 --> 00:04:47.199 I think it'll encourage your heart towards that to be open to pursuing gospel community 00:04:47.199 --> 00:04:47.719 like that. 00:04:47.799 --> 00:04:48.680 We all need it. 00:04:48.680 --> 00:04:57.160 But before we finish this series, before we leave one anothering, I want to go back where 00:04:57.160 --> 00:04:57.740 we started. 00:04:59.139 --> 00:05:03.819 We started the first Sunday asking the question, why? 00:05:03.819 --> 00:05:07.620 Why gospel community? 00:05:08.420 --> 00:05:14.779 Because the temptation in spending several weeks talking about how we relate to each other as 00:05:14.779 --> 00:05:19.079 God's people is to think that one another is the reason we exist. 00:05:19.879 --> 00:05:22.959 It's the goal of life, the essence of our mission. 00:05:23.519 --> 00:05:24.639 And it's not. 00:05:24.639 --> 00:05:33.560 As easy as it is for us to focus on me and us, God doesn't design the church to be a holy 00:05:33.560 --> 00:05:33.959 huddle. 00:05:34.659 --> 00:05:36.099 That's not what we're shooting for. 00:05:36.259 --> 00:05:38.459 We're not going for only caring about ourselves. 00:05:38.620 --> 00:05:39.979 We're here for others. 00:05:40.479 --> 00:05:43.599 So let's listen one more time to God's word. 00:05:43.600 --> 00:05:50.260 remind us of our mission and even how one anothering is vital to that mission. 00:05:50.439 --> 00:05:53.040 Turn to Matthew chapter 16. 00:05:54.879 --> 00:05:59.040 Matthew 16, Jesus is walking and talking with his disciples. 00:06:00.540 --> 00:06:06.920 And he wants to get at something that is fundamental to his mission and because of that to their 00:06:06.920 --> 00:06:07.840 mission. 00:06:07.840 --> 00:06:12.500 Listen to what he says as we read at verse 13. 00:06:13.600 --> 00:06:18.939 Now, when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, 00:06:19.500 --> 00:06:21.720 who do people say that the Son of Man is? 00:06:22.379 --> 00:06:24.980 And they said, some say John the Baptist. 00:06:25.540 --> 00:06:26.480 Others say Elijah. 00:06:26.660 --> 00:06:28.600 And others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets. 00:06:29.820 --> 00:06:32.640 And he said to them, okay, but what about you? 00:06:33.060 --> 00:06:35.720 Who do you say that I am? 00:06:36.780 --> 00:06:41.020 Simon Peter replied, you are the Christ, the Son of the living God. 00:06:41.019 --> 00:06:46.620 And Jesus answered him, blessed are you, Simon Barjona, for flesh and blood has not revealed 00:06:46.620 --> 00:06:48.959 this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 00:06:49.799 --> 00:06:51.419 And I tell you, you are Peter. 00:06:51.799 --> 00:06:58.219 And on this rock, I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against 00:06:58.219 --> 00:06:58.620 it. 00:06:59.279 --> 00:07:01.120 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. 00:07:01.240 --> 00:07:03.560 And whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven. 00:07:03.560 --> 00:07:06.120 And whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 00:07:06.780 --> 00:07:10.259 And then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ. 00:07:11.759 --> 00:07:17.379 From that time, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many 00:07:17.379 --> 00:07:22.920 things from the elders and chief priests and scribes and be killed and on the third day 00:07:22.920 --> 00:07:23.620 be raised. 00:07:24.819 --> 00:07:28.759 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him saying, far be it from you, Lord. 00:07:28.939 --> 00:07:30.939 This shall never happen to you. 00:07:30.939 --> 00:07:35.980 But he turned and said to Peter, get behind me, Satan. 00:07:36.600 --> 00:07:38.319 You are a hindrance to me. 00:07:39.160 --> 00:07:44.300 For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man. 00:07:45.480 --> 00:07:46.199 Let's pray. 00:07:49.800 --> 00:07:57.139 God, we want to have our minds and hearts set on the things of God, not the things of man. 00:07:57.139 --> 00:08:00.740 And we know where they go so naturally. 00:08:02.219 --> 00:08:04.979 So we need you, please, by your spirit. 00:08:06.699 --> 00:08:07.699 Redirect our hearts. 00:08:08.319 --> 00:08:09.319 Fix them on you. 00:08:10.079 --> 00:08:11.659 Even as we have worshipped you. 00:08:11.740 --> 00:08:16.459 Even as we have called each other's hearts to bow before you. 00:08:17.459 --> 00:08:19.539 Keep us there and show us what that looks like. 00:08:19.680 --> 00:08:22.919 Not just this morning, but every moment of every day. 00:08:22.920 --> 00:08:27.360 Speak, Father, to us. 00:08:27.800 --> 00:08:29.080 We ask in Jesus' name. 00:08:30.120 --> 00:08:30.460 Amen. 00:08:33.080 --> 00:08:40.899 Imagine that you conducted a public opinion poll in your office, your neighborhood, your school. 00:08:42.100 --> 00:08:43.060 One question. 00:08:43.899 --> 00:08:45.159 Who is Jesus? 00:08:45.159 --> 00:08:45.360 Who is Jesus? 00:08:47.219 --> 00:08:48.159 Who is Jesus? 00:08:48.259 --> 00:08:51.159 What kind of answers do you think you might get to that? 00:08:51.439 --> 00:08:55.559 I suspect you'd get a pretty wide range of answers, even here in Huntsville. 00:08:56.039 --> 00:08:57.100 Many of them positive. 00:08:57.639 --> 00:08:58.600 A great teacher. 00:08:59.240 --> 00:09:00.339 A moral example. 00:09:01.139 --> 00:09:02.459 A social revolutionary. 00:09:04.379 --> 00:09:06.759 Others, I'm sure, less so. 00:09:07.139 --> 00:09:08.120 A failed leader. 00:09:09.000 --> 00:09:10.379 A total fraud. 00:09:10.659 --> 00:09:11.600 A religious bigot. 00:09:11.600 --> 00:09:11.720 A Christian. 00:09:13.639 --> 00:09:22.420 I wonder how many of those people you would ask this week would say something the equivalent of Peter's response. 00:09:23.420 --> 00:09:24.100 The Christ. 00:09:24.540 --> 00:09:26.240 The Son of the Living God. 00:09:28.639 --> 00:09:32.500 I wonder how important we think that answer is. 00:09:32.500 --> 00:09:40.899 How important is it to us what our friends or neighbors think of the person and the work of Jesus? 00:09:40.899 --> 00:09:43.659 Because Jesus seems to think it's awfully important. 00:09:44.199 --> 00:09:44.659 Doesn't he? 00:09:45.959 --> 00:09:54.459 He says in no uncertain terms that accurately confessing his person and work provides the foundation for his church. 00:09:55.779 --> 00:09:56.939 Verse 18. 00:09:57.939 --> 00:10:03.639 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church. 00:10:03.639 --> 00:10:19.019 I won't belabor a lengthy debate this morning, but I'm convinced that this rock on which the church of Jesus Christ will be built is Peter professing the truth about Jesus. 00:10:19.019 --> 00:10:24.159 That word for rock is actually a play on Peter's name. 00:10:24.720 --> 00:10:25.879 And it is personal. 00:10:26.059 --> 00:10:27.620 He's talking to Peter. 00:10:27.819 --> 00:10:31.460 But it's not merely Peter as a person. 00:10:31.840 --> 00:10:38.600 Because in just a couple verses when Peter misunderstands Jesus' person and work, what does Jesus have to say then? 00:10:38.919 --> 00:10:40.319 Jesus calls him Satan. 00:10:41.079 --> 00:10:42.759 Not rock. 00:10:42.759 --> 00:10:52.179 But Peter professing Jesus' identity is the foundation of the church. 00:10:52.399 --> 00:10:54.500 That's a big deal, right? 00:10:55.200 --> 00:10:59.319 Who does he say Jesus is that makes Jesus so excited? 00:11:00.419 --> 00:11:04.720 You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. 00:11:04.720 --> 00:11:08.259 And Jesus says, yes, that comes from God. 00:11:08.340 --> 00:11:09.560 He's the one who told you that. 00:11:10.279 --> 00:11:13.180 He's the Christ, the Son of the living God. 00:11:13.240 --> 00:11:22.279 In other words, Jesus is the hero of the story of the great battle of good versus evil. 00:11:22.500 --> 00:11:23.139 He's the hero. 00:11:23.759 --> 00:11:27.980 He is the Christ, the one long promised and awaited. 00:11:28.240 --> 00:11:32.820 The true king who would crush the head of the serpent once and for all. 00:11:32.820 --> 00:11:35.980 The one who would swallow up death forever. 00:11:36.320 --> 00:11:37.280 Isaiah 25. 00:11:38.300 --> 00:11:41.080 He's the savior who would pay the penalty for sin. 00:11:41.440 --> 00:11:42.980 Earn victory over Satan. 00:11:43.160 --> 00:11:46.480 And lead his people in triumphal procession. 00:11:47.060 --> 00:11:48.500 He's uniquely divine. 00:11:48.860 --> 00:11:50.480 The Son of the living God. 00:11:51.580 --> 00:11:56.540 Not merely one striking human figure with great leadership qualities. 00:11:56.539 --> 00:11:59.199 But God himself. 00:11:59.199 --> 00:12:02.599 The one and only Christ. 00:12:03.279 --> 00:12:04.059 The Messiah. 00:12:04.480 --> 00:12:07.799 The true king of kings over all. 00:12:09.399 --> 00:12:13.059 Peter said a lot there in that short statement, didn't he? 00:12:14.379 --> 00:12:20.199 By the revelation of God to him, Peter recognizes Jesus' unique deity. 00:12:20.200 --> 00:12:27.400 And his unique role in God's mission to redeem and restore his people and all of his creation. 00:12:27.800 --> 00:12:33.900 The fact that Jesus is the hero of the story that runs all the way back to Genesis and the Garden of Eden. 00:12:33.980 --> 00:12:34.660 He's here. 00:12:36.620 --> 00:12:39.840 He sees Jesus has this huge task. 00:12:40.500 --> 00:12:43.580 This historic foe to fight. 00:12:43.580 --> 00:12:47.700 And he sees only Jesus can accomplish this mission. 00:12:47.879 --> 00:12:52.100 Defeat this enemy and rescue God's people from hell. 00:12:52.480 --> 00:12:55.560 Bringing them to heaven with him. 00:12:57.200 --> 00:12:58.980 And Jesus says that's it. 00:12:59.879 --> 00:13:00.520 That's me. 00:13:01.320 --> 00:13:02.600 That's who I am. 00:13:03.000 --> 00:13:06.860 And that's the foundation of my church. 00:13:07.900 --> 00:13:10.300 No identity short of that will do. 00:13:10.299 --> 00:13:16.120 Nothing else less than that can be the focus of a Christian church. 00:13:16.659 --> 00:13:18.740 Jesus at the center. 00:13:19.399 --> 00:13:20.259 Not a footnote. 00:13:20.759 --> 00:13:22.279 Not a sideshow. 00:13:22.439 --> 00:13:28.219 But the sine qua non of the church without which it is not the church. 00:13:29.519 --> 00:13:31.279 Jesus says on this rock, 00:13:32.099 --> 00:13:35.299 I will build my church. 00:13:36.679 --> 00:13:39.199 My people. 00:13:39.200 --> 00:13:42.560 My called out ones. 00:13:43.460 --> 00:13:48.500 Our identity then being found in his. 00:13:49.660 --> 00:13:51.240 We are his. 00:13:51.900 --> 00:13:54.840 His called out people. 00:13:55.100 --> 00:13:56.600 Set apart for him. 00:13:56.960 --> 00:14:00.440 To serve him and his mission in the world. 00:14:00.780 --> 00:14:05.200 Our identity is first and foremost as Christians. 00:14:05.800 --> 00:14:09.020 Those trusting and connected to the Christ. 00:14:09.200 --> 00:14:10.200 That's who we are. 00:14:11.360 --> 00:14:14.259 So just as any other team, we now have his goals. 00:14:15.759 --> 00:14:16.720 His enemies. 00:14:17.860 --> 00:14:19.020 His priorities. 00:14:20.400 --> 00:14:24.259 That's what unites us as we've been talking about this summer, right? 00:14:24.460 --> 00:14:27.200 That's what we saw back the first week in 1 Peter. 00:14:27.460 --> 00:14:29.680 That we are possessed people. 00:14:30.440 --> 00:14:33.120 A people for God's own possession. 00:14:33.120 --> 00:14:34.120 We are his. 00:14:34.120 --> 00:14:34.580 We are his. 00:14:34.580 --> 00:14:40.399 And so the purpose of our lives is to be about his glory and his grace. 00:14:40.899 --> 00:14:41.080 Right? 00:14:41.620 --> 00:14:42.679 Because we're his. 00:14:43.220 --> 00:14:45.060 And similarly here, Jesus says, 00:14:45.419 --> 00:14:47.279 You are my church. 00:14:47.279 --> 00:14:56.720 Based on knowing my glorious identity and sharing my glorious purpose to conquer the gates of hell. 00:14:56.720 --> 00:14:59.940 That seems easy, right? 00:15:00.680 --> 00:15:09.860 I mean, of course anyone who really believes this about Jesus' unique identity would be connected to his mission assaulting hell, right? 00:15:09.860 --> 00:15:11.460 What else would a church do? 00:15:11.519 --> 00:15:13.500 Isn't that what all churches are about then? 00:15:14.000 --> 00:15:16.300 The mission of King Jesus in the world. 00:15:16.720 --> 00:15:21.539 Taking on the huge task and the historic foe that Jesus fights. 00:15:22.000 --> 00:15:24.720 Joining with him to redeem and restore his creation. 00:15:25.300 --> 00:15:28.080 To see people destined for hell rescued. 00:15:28.460 --> 00:15:30.659 And brought safe home to heaven. 00:15:31.300 --> 00:15:31.419 Right? 00:15:31.480 --> 00:15:33.200 That's what all churches are about. 00:15:33.200 --> 00:15:40.460 Well, often other things crowd into the mission of the church, don't they? 00:15:42.580 --> 00:15:47.280 Listen to this often told parable and see if you feel any truth in it. 00:15:48.800 --> 00:15:55.020 On a dangerous seacoast where shipwrecks often occur, there was once a crude little life-saving station. 00:15:56.200 --> 00:16:01.879 The building was just a hut and there was only one boat, but the few devoted members kept watch over the sea. 00:16:01.879 --> 00:16:07.100 And with no thought for themselves, went out day or night tirelessly searching for the lost. 00:16:07.620 --> 00:16:11.320 Many lives were saved by this wonderful little station, so it became famous. 00:16:12.019 --> 00:16:17.019 And some of those who were saved and others in the surrounding areas wanted to become associated with the station. 00:16:17.659 --> 00:16:21.679 And give of their time, money, and effort to support its work. 00:16:22.740 --> 00:16:24.820 New boats were bought, new crews were trained. 00:16:25.360 --> 00:16:27.320 The little life-saving station grew. 00:16:27.320 --> 00:16:34.780 Some of the new members of the life-saving station were unhappy that the building was so crude and poorly equipped. 00:16:35.120 --> 00:16:40.640 So they replaced the emergency cots with beds and put better furniture in an enlarged building. 00:16:40.900 --> 00:16:45.040 And now the life-saving station became a popular gathering place for its members. 00:16:45.860 --> 00:16:49.260 And they redecorated it beautifully and furnished it as a sort of club. 00:16:49.259 --> 00:16:57.960 Fewer members were now interested in going to sea on life-saving missions, so they hired lifeboat crews to do this work. 00:16:58.659 --> 00:17:08.460 The mission of life-saving was still given lip service, but most were too busy or lacked the commitment to take part in life-saving activities personally. 00:17:08.460 --> 00:17:18.079 About this time, a large ship was wrecked off the coast, and the hired staff brought in boatloads of cold, wet, and half-drowned people. 00:17:18.940 --> 00:17:20.720 They were dirty and sick. 00:17:21.640 --> 00:17:23.480 It looked and sounded different. 00:17:24.620 --> 00:17:27.279 And the beautiful new club was considerably messed up. 00:17:28.059 --> 00:17:35.559 So the property committee immediately had a shower house built outside the club where victims of shipwreck could be cleaned up before coming inside. 00:17:35.559 --> 00:17:40.159 At the next meeting, there was a split in the club membership. 00:17:40.839 --> 00:17:48.019 Most members wanted to stop the club's life-saving activities as being unpleasant and a hindrance to the normal life of the club. 00:17:48.839 --> 00:17:55.940 But some members insisted life-saving was their primary purpose and pointed out they were still called a life-saving station. 00:17:55.940 --> 00:18:03.700 But they were finally voted down and told that if they wanted to save the life of all the various kinds of people who shipwrecked in those waters, 00:18:04.120 --> 00:18:07.220 they could begin their own life-saving station down the coast. 00:18:08.240 --> 00:18:09.000 They did. 00:18:10.240 --> 00:18:14.160 And as years went by, the new station experienced the same changes. 00:18:14.860 --> 00:18:18.880 They evolved into a club, and yet another life-saving station was founded. 00:18:18.880 --> 00:18:25.440 If you visit the seacoast today, you'll find a number of exclusive clubs along that shore. 00:18:26.960 --> 00:18:29.380 Shipwrecks are still frequent in those waters. 00:18:30.640 --> 00:18:33.960 Only now, most of the people drown. 00:18:36.540 --> 00:18:39.080 It's a sobering parable, isn't it? 00:18:40.480 --> 00:18:43.160 Club or church? 00:18:43.160 --> 00:18:55.840 Friends, Jesus' person and Jesus' work provides the mission for Jesus' church. 00:18:56.759 --> 00:19:07.640 He came to seek and save the lost, to attack Satan's strongholds, to ransom people for God from every tribe, language, people, and nation. 00:19:07.640 --> 00:19:12.279 If we are his, we must follow him in this. 00:19:13.160 --> 00:19:14.540 Edmund Clowney writes, 00:19:14.660 --> 00:19:18.900 Mission is not an optional activity for Christ's disciples. 00:19:19.920 --> 00:19:25.759 The gospel itself is the story of the seeking Savior who knows the Father's love. 00:19:26.360 --> 00:19:31.000 If mission is lost, the gospel is lost. 00:19:32.360 --> 00:19:39.759 Y'all, Jesus didn't go to the cross so you and I could have a more comfortable life in a better neighborhood with nice church friends. 00:19:40.400 --> 00:19:41.400 It's bigger than that. 00:19:41.400 --> 00:19:50.800 Our mission is not merely to make one another feel good, to enjoy life with as little of the discomfort and loneliness as possible. 00:19:52.400 --> 00:20:06.960 Jesus came and we are here to assault the gates of hell so that everyone would know the glory and the grace of the one true and living God no matter what it costs. 00:20:06.960 --> 00:20:10.420 That's why he came and that's why we must go. 00:20:10.420 --> 00:20:10.940 Go. 00:20:11.299 --> 00:20:12.420 It's why we exist. 00:20:13.120 --> 00:20:14.380 Look at verse 18 again. 00:20:15.059 --> 00:20:23.640 You are Peter and on this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 00:20:23.860 --> 00:20:27.319 Y'all, the church is on the move. 00:20:27.319 --> 00:20:32.179 And it has a real enemy seeking to stop us. 00:20:32.179 --> 00:20:41.579 It's not flesh and blood that we fight against but rather hell itself is what the church of Jesus is set up against. 00:20:42.240 --> 00:20:46.579 And then Satan himself as Jesus points out in verse 23. 00:20:47.339 --> 00:20:53.460 And Peter tries to get Jesus off of his mission as the suffering Messiah who's headed to a cross. 00:20:53.460 --> 00:20:55.000 Jesus says what? 00:20:55.340 --> 00:20:57.779 Get behind me, Satan. 00:20:59.920 --> 00:21:01.480 Hell itself. 00:21:02.600 --> 00:21:04.000 Satan himself. 00:21:04.539 --> 00:21:08.360 We are in a war and our enemy is real. 00:21:10.920 --> 00:21:15.059 And then Jesus reminds us how urgent this battle is. 00:21:15.200 --> 00:21:17.860 The souls of men and women are at stake. 00:21:17.859 --> 00:21:24.359 Many of our friends and neighbors are facing an eternity of God's wrath in hell. 00:21:24.719 --> 00:21:27.539 And it's a reality that many of us would rather ignore. 00:21:28.039 --> 00:21:29.459 But Jesus doesn't. 00:21:30.099 --> 00:21:32.779 Over and over he faces it straight on. 00:21:33.679 --> 00:21:39.859 Others are living through the darkness and fires of hell as it were right now in this broken world. 00:21:39.859 --> 00:21:46.279 And Jesus says his church must be fighting hell every day. 00:21:47.659 --> 00:21:55.000 Our life together as a gospel community is sweet and wonderful and I love it. 00:21:55.319 --> 00:21:59.859 But it is not to be one of comfort and complacency. 00:21:59.859 --> 00:22:07.299 Rather we are at war against spiritual forces for eternal people. 00:22:08.259 --> 00:22:11.779 And that battle is hard, isn't it? 00:22:12.799 --> 00:22:14.059 It's tiring. 00:22:16.039 --> 00:22:17.919 It's at times confusing. 00:22:19.219 --> 00:22:20.019 Discouraging. 00:22:21.000 --> 00:22:24.199 Which is part of why we need one another, isn't it? 00:22:24.200 --> 00:22:28.860 With arms locked together to battle alongside each other. 00:22:29.100 --> 00:22:31.380 To bind up one another's wounds. 00:22:31.559 --> 00:22:34.660 To encourage one another back into the fray. 00:22:35.660 --> 00:22:36.580 Don't forget. 00:22:37.319 --> 00:22:43.039 We are on mission with one another for King Jesus. 00:22:44.080 --> 00:22:47.500 As Jude says, snatching some from the fire. 00:22:49.460 --> 00:22:52.660 I almost titled this sermon, The Church is Going to Hell. 00:22:52.660 --> 00:22:58.519 But I wanted you to know what I meant before I said it. 00:23:00.019 --> 00:23:03.220 Why we're going to hell. 00:23:03.840 --> 00:23:10.660 The church of Jesus Christ must be raiding hell for the God of heaven. 00:23:10.740 --> 00:23:10.940 Amen? 00:23:11.960 --> 00:23:13.759 That's what he's called us to. 00:23:13.820 --> 00:23:17.100 If you're not working to beat Auburn, you're not on Coach Saban's team. 00:23:17.360 --> 00:23:17.900 You know that. 00:23:18.900 --> 00:23:19.080 Right? 00:23:19.079 --> 00:23:26.599 If you're not racing Russia to get to the moon, you're not working for Von Braun's team. 00:23:26.599 --> 00:23:34.339 And if you're not raiding hell for lost souls, you're not serving King Jesus. 00:23:35.219 --> 00:23:36.439 That's what he does. 00:23:36.719 --> 00:23:39.299 And that's where his team is headed. 00:23:39.839 --> 00:23:41.779 Who has God put around us? 00:23:43.019 --> 00:23:44.339 Every day. 00:23:45.179 --> 00:23:53.839 For whose eternal sake we are to be raiding hell and battling the forces of darkness. 00:23:53.839 --> 00:23:54.539 Who is it? 00:23:57.119 --> 00:24:05.799 I told you last week about the Scottish pastor and his wife who took me and Christy in as a lonely, newlywed couple for four months. 00:24:06.599 --> 00:24:15.079 And I promised to tell you what we learned of the hospitality and mission of the church from this small congregation. 00:24:15.079 --> 00:24:21.439 The church we became a part of was about 30 Scottish Presbyterians. 00:24:21.519 --> 00:24:22.980 I want you to get that picture in your mind. 00:24:23.059 --> 00:24:25.500 Over half of them probably above the age of 70. 00:24:25.960 --> 00:24:28.619 So you can see them all now in your mind. 00:24:30.039 --> 00:24:33.859 Their old church building right in Glasgow, Scotland. 00:24:33.859 --> 00:24:43.259 It had recently become surrounded by neighborhoods primarily occupied by asylum-seeking refugees. 00:24:43.859 --> 00:24:50.059 Most of whom were young Muslims, almost exclusively from Middle Eastern countries. 00:24:50.859 --> 00:24:57.419 So what did this group of 30 old traditional Scottish Presbyterians do? 00:24:57.420 --> 00:25:04.120 They moved out to a different part of town where they could comfortably enjoy retirement, right? 00:25:05.200 --> 00:25:06.640 Yes, of course. 00:25:08.620 --> 00:25:09.940 Except they didn't. 00:25:13.860 --> 00:25:19.300 They decided that God had called them to fight for Jesus right there. 00:25:19.800 --> 00:25:22.140 And it seemed to make no sense. 00:25:22.660 --> 00:25:23.360 It was crazy. 00:25:23.359 --> 00:25:27.579 They met these new neighbors at their point of need with English classes, 00:25:28.039 --> 00:25:32.279 helped filling out legal documents, and parenting playgroups. 00:25:32.459 --> 00:25:35.559 Can you imagine going to a parenting playgroup hosted by an 83-year-old? 00:25:37.799 --> 00:25:45.199 They brought in an assistant pastor who had learned enough Urdu to write a gospel sermon in their language 00:25:45.199 --> 00:25:49.359 to hold multicultural worship services every few weeks 00:25:49.359 --> 00:25:54.759 so they could invite their friends into that to hear the gospel preached and to worship alongside them. 00:25:55.179 --> 00:25:58.539 They threw themselves and their time 00:25:58.539 --> 00:26:05.619 and all the resources they had, 00:26:06.139 --> 00:26:07.699 everything they could think of 00:26:07.699 --> 00:26:12.199 into loving and sharing Jesus with these neighbors. 00:26:12.639 --> 00:26:13.740 It was beautiful. 00:26:13.740 --> 00:26:16.599 We loved getting to watch. 00:26:17.960 --> 00:26:21.700 Sometimes raiding hell doesn't require you to go too far. 00:26:22.960 --> 00:26:25.180 But it does require sacrifice. 00:26:26.579 --> 00:26:30.339 To whom is God calling us to declare and demonstrate 00:26:30.339 --> 00:26:35.339 the hope of a God who dies for His people? 00:26:35.799 --> 00:26:37.700 Who loved us so much 00:26:37.700 --> 00:26:40.240 that no one, not even His closest friends, 00:26:40.339 --> 00:26:43.460 could talk Him out of sacrificing His life for us. 00:26:43.460 --> 00:26:45.840 Who's the one true King and Savior, 00:26:45.940 --> 00:26:47.840 the only one who's done that for us, 00:26:47.920 --> 00:26:49.620 so everyone needs to know Him. 00:26:50.140 --> 00:26:53.059 Who that you know needs to know that? 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:55.500 See, our enemy is real. 00:26:57.519 --> 00:27:00.860 The battle is urgent and dangerous and costly, 00:27:01.380 --> 00:27:06.000 but it's also true that our victory is certain. 00:27:06.519 --> 00:27:07.720 Verse 18, one more time. 00:27:09.100 --> 00:27:11.720 I will build my church. 00:27:11.720 --> 00:27:13.059 Who's going to do that, by the way? 00:27:13.960 --> 00:27:14.600 King Jesus. 00:27:15.460 --> 00:27:17.160 I will build my church, 00:27:17.380 --> 00:27:22.319 and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 00:27:22.740 --> 00:27:25.100 Y'all, this is what sends you into the darkness 00:27:25.100 --> 00:27:26.940 or the flames, right? 00:27:27.740 --> 00:27:30.140 That King Jesus has been there. 00:27:31.279 --> 00:27:33.160 That Jesus went to the cross 00:27:33.160 --> 00:27:35.720 so that this rescue has actually been accomplished 00:27:35.720 --> 00:27:38.120 accomplished because of who He is 00:27:38.120 --> 00:27:39.279 and what He has done. 00:27:39.380 --> 00:27:42.440 We charge forward with hope and confidence 00:27:42.440 --> 00:27:44.900 because greater is He who is in us 00:27:44.900 --> 00:27:46.579 than he who is in the world. 00:27:47.579 --> 00:27:49.740 The gates of hell shall not prevail 00:27:49.740 --> 00:27:52.980 against the church who follows her great King. 00:27:53.100 --> 00:27:53.299 Amen? 00:27:55.339 --> 00:27:57.559 And so, and so, 00:27:57.960 --> 00:27:59.720 we press into that darkness 00:27:59.720 --> 00:28:02.180 even when it seems fearful. 00:28:03.920 --> 00:28:05.759 And so, we open our homes 00:28:05.759 --> 00:28:08.620 to those we don't know very well. 00:28:09.480 --> 00:28:11.700 And so, we initiate conversations 00:28:11.700 --> 00:28:14.720 that we fear may get us shut down 00:28:14.720 --> 00:28:16.140 or left out. 00:28:16.880 --> 00:28:19.420 And so, we offer our time 00:28:19.420 --> 00:28:21.720 to dive into messy life situations. 00:28:21.960 --> 00:28:24.180 And so, we learn the names of our neighbors 00:28:24.180 --> 00:28:25.960 and our servers and our classmates 00:28:25.960 --> 00:28:30.840 because God is sending this group of kids 00:28:30.840 --> 00:28:32.980 into schools this week to do this. 00:28:33.180 --> 00:28:34.460 And He's sending you somewhere 00:28:34.460 --> 00:28:36.019 and into the lives of people too. 00:28:37.140 --> 00:28:38.519 And He says, get to know them 00:28:38.519 --> 00:28:40.400 and then dive into the mess 00:28:40.400 --> 00:28:42.700 that you know and that you see. 00:28:43.120 --> 00:28:45.580 And so, we plead with our friends 00:28:45.580 --> 00:28:48.420 and we plead with God in prayer 00:28:48.420 --> 00:28:51.060 because there is one Christ 00:28:51.060 --> 00:28:53.340 and there is one cross 00:28:53.339 --> 00:28:55.220 and there is one King 00:28:55.220 --> 00:28:57.919 and salvation is found in no one else. 00:28:58.439 --> 00:29:00.919 And not even hell can stop King Jesus 00:29:00.919 --> 00:29:04.259 or His church from rescuing dying people. 00:29:05.039 --> 00:29:07.179 And so, we go. 00:29:11.759 --> 00:29:14.259 When I think of a faithful friend, 00:29:15.759 --> 00:29:18.839 Samwise Gamgee often pops into my head 00:29:18.839 --> 00:29:21.720 for a lot of reasons, 00:29:21.839 --> 00:29:22.919 but especially this one. 00:29:24.339 --> 00:29:26.379 In Tolkien's The Fellowship of the Ring, 00:29:27.119 --> 00:29:29.599 Sam's friend Frodo is staring 00:29:29.599 --> 00:29:31.799 into the darkness of Mordor 00:29:31.799 --> 00:29:35.179 and the fire of Mount Doom 00:29:35.179 --> 00:29:37.480 and he's about to face 00:29:37.480 --> 00:29:41.279 all the evil that the world has to throw at him. 00:29:42.139 --> 00:29:45.059 And Sam sees his friend trembling at the thought 00:29:45.059 --> 00:29:49.099 because Frodo thinks he's going to go face it all alone 00:29:49.099 --> 00:29:54.279 until Sam steps up and says this to Frodo. 00:29:55.879 --> 00:29:59.179 You can trust us to stick to you through thick and thin 00:29:59.179 --> 00:30:00.179 to the bitter end 00:30:00.179 --> 00:30:03.099 and you can trust us to keep any secret of yours 00:30:03.099 --> 00:30:04.759 closer than you yourself keep it. 00:30:06.399 --> 00:30:09.740 But you cannot trust us to let you face trouble alone 00:30:09.740 --> 00:30:11.539 and go off without a word. 00:30:12.079 --> 00:30:13.519 We're your friends, Frodo. 00:30:13.519 --> 00:30:15.619 Anyway, there it is. 00:30:15.960 --> 00:30:17.980 We know most of what Gandalf has told you. 00:30:18.180 --> 00:30:19.680 We know a good deal about the ring. 00:30:19.740 --> 00:30:21.099 We are horribly afraid. 00:30:22.259 --> 00:30:23.740 But we are coming with you 00:30:23.740 --> 00:30:25.339 or following you like hounds. 00:30:25.339 --> 00:30:29.959 Is that your heart 00:30:29.959 --> 00:30:32.959 for your friends and neighbors? 00:30:33.639 --> 00:30:35.599 Is that our heart 00:30:35.599 --> 00:30:38.480 for the entire Huntsville community? 00:30:39.259 --> 00:30:40.859 You cannot trust us 00:30:40.859 --> 00:30:43.419 to let you face trouble alone. 00:30:45.819 --> 00:30:47.299 That's the mission 00:30:47.299 --> 00:30:50.019 of a gospel community. 00:30:50.019 --> 00:30:51.699 In God's family, 00:30:52.139 --> 00:30:54.939 we are bound tightly to one another 00:30:54.940 --> 00:30:56.360 by King Jesus 00:30:56.360 --> 00:30:59.680 in order to forge into the darkness 00:30:59.680 --> 00:31:01.559 and fires of hell 00:31:01.559 --> 00:31:03.920 for King Jesus. 00:31:04.180 --> 00:31:07.519 He tells us to storm the very gates of hell 00:31:07.519 --> 00:31:09.920 and share the good news of a Savior 00:31:09.920 --> 00:31:11.700 who went to a cross 00:31:11.700 --> 00:31:13.259 to rescue us 00:31:13.259 --> 00:31:14.900 and many others. 00:31:14.980 --> 00:31:15.200 Amen. 00:31:16.580 --> 00:31:16.920 Amen. 00:31:17.400 --> 00:31:18.960 May God give us grace 00:31:18.960 --> 00:31:21.200 to be such a community 00:31:21.200 --> 00:31:22.220 for His glory. 00:31:22.360 --> 00:31:22.799 Let's pray. 00:31:24.940 --> 00:31:29.779 God, this is not new information. 00:31:35.960 --> 00:31:37.140 We just confess 00:31:37.140 --> 00:31:38.880 how easily distracted we are. 00:31:41.360 --> 00:31:43.059 We confess how our hearts 00:31:43.059 --> 00:31:46.000 beat for a lot of different things 00:31:46.000 --> 00:31:47.720 from what yours does. 00:31:47.720 --> 00:31:52.100 and we ask that you would 00:31:52.100 --> 00:31:54.339 renew and revive them. 00:31:56.079 --> 00:31:58.059 That we would have the heart of Christ 00:31:58.059 --> 00:32:01.019 for those around us. 00:32:01.920 --> 00:32:04.140 That we would desire the glory of Christ 00:32:04.140 --> 00:32:05.259 as more and more 00:32:05.259 --> 00:32:07.440 sing praises to His name. 00:32:08.299 --> 00:32:09.299 And that we would be willing 00:32:09.299 --> 00:32:10.740 to walk through anything 00:32:10.740 --> 00:32:13.700 because He has been there 00:32:13.700 --> 00:32:15.940 and because He is with us. 00:32:18.120 --> 00:32:20.059 And the Holy Spirit within us 00:32:20.059 --> 00:32:22.000 and among us as a community 00:32:22.000 --> 00:32:24.620 will see that happen. 00:32:24.880 --> 00:32:25.519 And so, Father, 00:32:25.599 --> 00:32:26.859 with great hope 00:32:26.859 --> 00:32:29.500 and with a little bit of fear, 00:32:29.920 --> 00:32:31.519 we ask You to make us like that. 00:32:31.519 --> 00:32:34.879 Make this church 00:32:34.879 --> 00:32:36.500 your church 00:32:36.500 --> 00:32:39.359 that the gates of hell 00:32:39.359 --> 00:32:41.359 would never prevail against her. 00:32:41.619 --> 00:32:42.420 In Jesus' name. 00:32:43.059 --> 00:32:43.319 Amen. 00:32:47.799 --> 00:32:49.039 For more information, 00:32:49.420 --> 00:32:50.339 visit us online 00:32:50.339 --> 00:32:51.619 at southwood.org. 00:32:51.619 --> 00:32:55.639 For more information, 00:32:59.799 --> 00:33:00.719 visit us online 00:33:00.719 --> 00:33:01.339 at southwood.org. 00:33:01.339 --> 00:33:02.459 Instead, 00:33:02.759 --> 00:33:03.879 I will see you from our 00:33:03.879 --> 00:33:04.539 here today. 00:33:04.599 --> 00:33:05.219 As first of all, 00:33:05.219 --> 00:33:06.119 visit us online 00:33:06.119 --> 00:33:06.699 at southwood.org. 00:33:06.919 --> 00:33:09.119 Let's go to www. Correthet.org 00:33:09.119 --> 00:33:09.479 and visit us online 00:33:09.479 --> 00:33:10.639 on divine and their 00:33:10.639 --> 00:33:11.379 postappointment gift 00:33:11.379 --> 00:33:11.579 visit us online 00:33:11.579 --> 00:33:12.259 available at italian 00:33:12.259 --> 00:33:12.619 Senhor. 00:33:12.619 --> 00:33:13.119 Here are some 00:33:13.119 --> 00:33:13.599 dannes dividend 00:33:13.599 --> 00:33:14.639 in Moses 00:33:14.639 --> 00:33:15.179 of the horror 00:33:15.179 --> 00:33:16.299 in the past 00:33:16.479 --> 00:33:16.699 series 00:33:16.879 --> 00:33:17.459 state 00:33:17.459 --> 00:33:18.239 He 00:33:18.239 --> 00:33:18.619 in the past